The Harvard vernacular is sometimes hard to translate! But I am burning too much gas.
Affectionately,
Thy Daughter.
Eleventh Mo., 3d.
Mother Dear: Anna W. and I have just returned from what was in many respects a most interesting excursion, and yet it had its dark side.
Almost immediately after I had written to thee last week, aunt carried me to town and insisted upon my choosing several nice garments. It was wholly unnecessary, for my wardrobe, thee knows, was very comfortable, and I did not care to be under so great obligation to her, but I found that to do otherwise would hurt her feelings, so I chose, very reluctantly, a white merino that she said I must have to wear in the evening, and aunt herself selected a pretty pale blue silk. It seems gay for me, but she has promised that it shall be made in a plain way. I am afraid, however, that her ideas and mine concerning those things will not agree. Lastly, she bought a gown and cloak of a heavy texture, and trimmed with beautiful gray fur. There is a muff too. I submit rather than enjoy taking so much, pretty as the things are. I am not certain that I can trust my pride, which gets the better of poor mortals so soon, but thee told me to do as nearly as possible without troubling my conscience, as aunt desires, therefore I shall wear the expensive garments with less thought of the unnecessary outlay than I otherwise could. Uncle Joseph says the color of the fur is the only thing that reconciles me to the purchase. Indeed I am ashamed to tell thee that the making of each dress—for I saw the bill—has cost about seven dollars!
Well, I will add to this worldly record, that when the cloak and muff came home, there was also a round hat, with a long soft feather on it! Of course, I could not be comfortable in that, and as it is quite a new thing for me to wear aught but a bonnet, aunt was persuaded by dear Uncle Joseph to substitute a bit of ribbon and a band of the fur for the feather, but I almost wish thee could have seen it just as I first did, it was beautiful!
The young men come home from Harvard College every Seventh day at noon, and we mostly go together, Anna W., F. A., Edward H., and myself for a drive or a walk. It is getting rather cool for boating. Aunt seems to find it quite “proper” for four of us to be together. She says (I hate to tell thee this) that either of the boys would be a very desirable “parti!” Such suggestions drive away all the pleasure that would come from their companionship, so I try to turn a deaf ear when she approaches the subject.
To-day we went to Nahant, a beautiful rocky beach, where there is a large hotel in summer, and many charming seaside homes. One of the cottages is owned by a relative of F. A. and is still open, so we agreed to accept an invitation to dine.
It was so cool that I wore my new gown and hat, but they all had so much to say concerning their perfections and becomingness that I felt pained, and told them so. Edward H. was quite serious over it and asked me why I should not enjoy knowing I had fine eyes, unusual hair, and a bright color. Of course I could only answer that if God had given me honest eyes and healthy color I was very glad, but that I believed he did not wish me to think too much about them—and Edward said, “Well, you need not. We will do the thinking.” So then I blushed more and more, but I managed to ask him not to do any more talking about it.